Dexter Mill Creek Middle School Principal Jami Bronson is the one who's up for a national award, but she's not taking the credit.

“When I got the call that I was one of the finalists, I was surprised and a little uncomfortable, but at the same time really proud of the staff here,” she said. “I really look at this award as a reflection of them. Our school wouldn’t be what it is today without our cohesive team of staff, students, parents and teachers."

Bronson is a finalist in the 2011 MetLife/NASSP National Principal of the Year Program. Bronson was selected from the pool of state winners as one of six finalists for the national award.

Bronson is most proud of having a staff that strives to do what’s best for middle school students and is willing to take initiative .

Mill Creek, which has been honored as a "School to Watch," has implemented many successful programs since Bronson became its principal in 2004.

• Through the Community Service & Leadership class, students play an active role in planning events, drives, programming and leadership activities for the building. These include an annual glasses drive in conjunction with the Lions Club and working with Food Gatherers to support several shelters. Students also participate in a weeklong summer camp. By the end of two years, every Mill Creek child has had the opportunity to participate in this class if they choose. This program replaced Student Council 15 year ago and has become a state recognized program.

• Bronson formed a partnership with Ludington Magnet School, an urban middle school in Detroit to expose kids to more diversity through a yearly exchange program.

• In an effort to provide extra academic support, Bronson and her staff created the Mill Creek Academy, an after-school program run by teachers that includes support, snacks, and transportation.

• Bronson was also behind a major push to bring a therapy dog to Mill Creek to assist students academically, physically, and socially. Next year a highly trained dog will serve at Mill Creek on a full-time basis.

• Cross-curricular teams meet bi-weekly with the administration, a school social worker and special education staff for “Thumbs Up” meetings. During these meetings, the social, emotional and academic progress of every student is discussed. If a child is struggling, a plan of action is developed, which may involve a counselor, parent-student meeting, testing or other options.

Mill Creek is designed with a team concept in which each child has a home base and belongs to a small group of teachers. Each teacher serves as a personal advocate for students belonging to his or her “anchor” class. Teachers as teams work with students to identify their learning styles. Kids know if they are auditory, tactile, visual or kinesthetic learners and share this with their parents and future teachers. Bronson says it's the staff that makes all this happen. “I have a building full of leaders and everybody is a team player. I believe strongly that if I were to leave tomorrow the building would continue to run an excellent program due to their leadership. The staff is aware that all decisions are made with the focus question, “what is best for kids?”

But if Bronson is not willing to shine the spotlight on herself, former Dexter Superintendent Robert Glass is more than happy to aim it her way. "In my 14 years as a public school administrator, I have never seen a more talented, committed principal than Jami Bronson," he said.. "A great motivator with a strong, optimistic work ethic, Jami has established a climate of trust and collaboration that can be felt the minute one walks in the front door."

If she had to give advice to other middle school principals it would to keep up with research in education and take an active role in legislation. “We are proactive about developing interactive, engaging lessons based on the latest research," Bronson said. "We implement cooperative learning as educators. We stay abreast of decisions at the state and federal level and how it impacts this age group.”

On Aug. 6, the finalists will present to a panel of judges in Arlington, VA, who will then select a national principal of the year for middle school and high school. The winners will be named in September and recognized in Washington, D.C., during the Principals' Institute for State and National Principals of the Year, Sept. 29-Oct.2, 2010.

Bronson, who has been principal of the school for several years, has picked up other honors in the past. In 2009, she won the Michigan Association of Middle School Educators' Administrator of the Year Award.

Bronson and each of the other five finalists will receive a $1,500 grant. The two national award winners will receive an additional grant of $3,500.

In keeping with her style, Bronson plans to implement a full staff discussion once school is in session to gather input on how the school can best use the prize money to support students and their academic achievement.